Hollie Bone

The family of a Knaresborough girl, who suffered a tragic brain injury, have launched a fundraising campaign for the specialist care centre where she now lives.

Charlotte Whittaker, 34, is described as having been an ‘active and outgoing’ woman before she suffered a life changing brain injury that left her needing specialist 24 hour care.

But now Charlotte’s family have bid to raise enough money to rebuild an outdoor walkway for the residents of Thistle Hill Care Home, where Charlotte lives.

Last year, Charlotte was living and working in Tenerife when she became seriously dehydrated and fell unconscious in her flat.

Around 24 hours later Charlotte was found with serious brain stem injuries and spent three months in a coma - when she woke up, she was unable to communicate in any way.

Mr Middleton said: "She was very gregarious, outgoing and active. She helped run a bar in Tenerife with her brother, she was the life and soul of the party a real people person.

"The strangest thing is even though she has this limitation in the home she still has this massive grin for everyone she sees. This illness can give you severe mental and physical disabilities but your character is something that still stands."

Now, Charlotte's family are aiming to raise £10,000 to rebuild an outdoor woodland walkway at the back of the care home which closed four years ago due to disrepair.

The project which has been dubbed ‘Charlotte’s way’ was kickstarted by Charlotte's mum Linda, her partner John Middleton and two friends who recently completed the Camino Inglés - a 146 mile sponsored walk, known as the English way to Santiago.

Over in Tenerife, the fundraising efforts by Charlotte's brother James, have also raised 900 euros where James has continued running the Merry Monk Bar in Los Cristianos.

John said: “An enormous ‘thank you’ to all our supporters for their generous donations which have helped us to raise over £3,500 to date. We urge even more local people to get involved to enhance the quality of life for Charlotte and her fellow residents.”

Wheelchair accessible, the family hopes that Charlotte's Way will provide a tranquil haven for all residents and visitors to enjoy. ]

You can show your support for the campaign by visiting the family's online donation page here.